CONFESS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'confess' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of confess are acknowledge , admit , avow , and own . While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt. // confessed a weakness for sweets

Q: When could 'acknowledge' be used to replace 'confess'?

In some situations, the words acknowledge and confess are roughly equivalent. However, acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed. // acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

Q: Where would 'admit' be a reasonable alternative to 'confess'?

Although the words admit and confess have much in common, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications. // admitted the project was over budget

Q: When can 'avow' be used instead of 'confess'?

While the synonyms avow and confess are close in meaning, avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about. // avowed that he was a revolutionary

Q: In what contexts can 'own' take the place of 'confess'?

While in some cases nearly identical to confess , own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself. // must own I know little about computers

confess

verb

kən-ˈfes

Definition of confess next

as in to admit

to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid the thief confessed to dozens of robberies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to concede

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly political prisoners, under threat of torture, forced to confess their guilt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb confess contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of confess are acknowledge, admit, avow, and own. While all these words mean "to disclose against one's will or inclination," confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt.

confessed a weakness for sweets

When could acknowledge be used to replace confess?

In some situations, the words acknowledge and confess are roughly equivalent. However, acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed.

acknowledged an earlier peccadillo

Where would admit be a reasonable alternative to confess?

Although the words admit and confess have much in common, admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications.

admitted the project was over budget

When can avow be used instead of confess?

While the synonyms avow and confess are close in meaning, avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about.

avowed that he was a revolutionary

In what contexts can own take the place of confess?

While in some cases nearly identical to confess, own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself.

must own I know little about computers

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of confess Whitney is understandably hesitant about inviting Isaiah over for the test but doesn’t confess the real reason yet. —

Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 So it must be confessed — the desire to not dive headfirst into this setup is actually a rational response. —

Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 All the while, Kat's also trying to figure out what really happened to her father after his murderer confesses he was paid to take the fall. —

Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025 When Buck wonders aloud if his father was a time-traveller, Roger is so weird about it that he’s forced to confess his ancestor’s true parentage. —

Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for confess